Valve



Nov. 9, 1943.

W. K. MATHESON VALVE Filed July 17, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 i220 fD 35 INVENTOR w W f Y m m M m VAMA M mm m NOV. 9, 1943. w. MATHESQN 2,333,805

VALVE Filed July 17, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Mug/ m /K W/U/[JM ATTO R N EY Patented Nov. 9, 1943 UNITE-o! PATENT {OFFICE f :VALVE ",William' ,Matlies'on, Brooklyn, N. YZ, assignor to "H--& H Thermostats, Inc New York, N. Y.,

a corporation of New York i-Applicationfihlyifl, 1940, Serial No. 345;929-

rroni'ms. (o1; ief-r44) This .invention relates to "improvements :in

valves. r

It is an object of the invention to provide improved valve means: of the type whereinthe flow of fluid through the valve risqcontrolled by external conditions, such astemperatureor pressure at a remotelpoint.

It is an object 'of'theinvention to provide-valve means of the classidescribed, wherein the'valve setting may be repeated; thatgiszto-say, theop eration of the valve at .each of its setting: points may bepredicted with a relatively high degree of accuracy. v

It is an object of the invention to providezan improved valve embodying-meansrfor theccontrol of fluid flow according to a temperaturecor -pressure. conditionat alocationre'mote from the'val've, andcincludi'ng secondary means efiectiveito-l'per mit *flow through:v the .valveuat' a valve zsetting wherein the iprincipalccontroli is'iin-rclosedstatus;

The present invention .is particularly .applicable to automatic valves .iniTWhiCh".fiOW through the valve .ista. function of the extentiof expansion of axitemperature- .or 'pi' essure-rsensitivei bellows in operative: association withithetstemcof a :pbppet valve or equivalent, the'srelativ'eposition-20f the-:valve- .stem with respect to'ttlie' hellows ideterminingzthe =iristantscof I oipexation'iof the valve.

Such valves are, per se, old infitheartr Ita-isiafeature fiof the ipresent kinvent-ion; however, .athat the valve? meanskare displaceable -ias a unitgivzith respect "to'cthe :bellow'asuchtmovement being-always', in ca vpath which :isxsubstantially-precisely axial of the bellows; Thisiuniformity 'OfYmOVE.

men}; insures .a tuniformcontact :of :the chellows withuthe :valve stem forseachi movement ofthe bellows and :hence a :predictable degree of'aopening of the valaeiund-er. conditions -:;of =known expansionof the bellows "and proximityaofixthe valvelstem thereto. A :dial 1orlike indexrfor :setting "the valve may be .qgr.aduat'ed.:zvvith assurance of a;definite vandarepeatable walvetopeningeatqeach dial'setting.v Q a v Pursuant to objectiveiizthe val-vewoperator means is mounted between spaced; iflexiblecdiae phragms arranged-withinthe bodyacavity of i the valve in parallelism. The spaced diaphrag-ms are arranged to functionas e fluid-inlet chamher, at the center ofwwhichis placed thevalve operator means. The flefinaofthe diaphragms; as by the operation oi-an- -adjusting 's creW-. 0r equivalent, results in the movement of theyalve operator; means toward or away from the bellows in a path normal-*to' -the planes ofaphra m- With thexliaphragmsunounteddn apar-allehand concentric relationto the-bellows, it follows that the line of movement ofithe'valve; means will: be axial of the bellows and normal to the plane thereof. M M Other: features and; advantages will hereinafter appear.

1In-ithe accompanying drawings: Fig. l .is a'plan' section ofza' valveconstructed pursuant to :the present invention, qthe section being takenOnIineST-IQIOf-FigrZ; 1 l :Figi "21199.11" elevation; insection; on lines 12-2 of Fig. '1', .015 a valve, embodying the liliVGIlfiOIl; Fig. 3 iszanwelevation'similar to that ;of Fig. 2., illustrating 1a: phase of operation ofthe. secondary flow'controlcmeans; i

:Fig; 4 illustrates fa typical-valvesetting dial; ,Fig. .5 is a plan view 10f the secondary flow control lever :mount ins-preliminary stage of formation; s, "Fig. ,6 is .an.-enlarged';iperspective of a-portion of the flow .control lever-mounm; r

,Fig; '7}is-an enlargedperspective of the secequivalent, suitably wconfigurated and" secured with such gaskets eandffastening, means as are required to {provide andnterior, fluid-tight; body BBJViWU v; s v,

An-inlet chamber,-l 4 is disposed within the body cavity, and sub-divides the same intoan upper-portion l5 'and 'an outlet-chamber 16. As later appears;- the upper portion I 5-- of the valve body; is sealed withrespect to inlet chamber 14, and hence is sealed against-the entry-of fluid; valve: settingscrew II, which passes; through cover: l2 intosaid :upper; portion l5,-may have a relatively coarse thread without danger of leakageroffluid'about the thread. y 1 It is: a feature'of theiginventionthat the inlet chamber l'4 is moveable undehthe-action ofscrew .1 l rand advantage is talieri of such. movement .to establish the conditions or how through the valve. The "inlet chamber, in a preferredforinofthe invention; comprises spring metal diaphrag'nis J 8 .l 9 preferably in; combination with. a. metal ring -20, which I affords ani accurate, positive means forn aintaining the diaphrag rns in paislellism. Ring l2fl is in. snugengagem nrwah the sidlwalfof the' body cavity; As appears in. Fig.

2, diaphragm I8 has a greater diameter than the ring 20, and accordingly extends beyond the limits of the ring to lie in contact with a suitable surface formed in the base II of the body. Such extension of the upper diaphragm and the employment of a suitable gasket 22 efiectively seals upper portion I of the body cavity against entry of fluid. A lower gasket 2I precludes leakage into the outlet chamber I5.

Fluid inflow is through a passage 24 in the side wall of base II, said passage registering with an aperture 25 in the wall of ring 20.

At any convenient location within the outlet chamber I6, I'

provide a passage 26 and a therewith registering outlet connection 27.

The principal operating control of fluid flow is V afforded, in the embodiment illustrated, by valve means of the lift, or mushroom type, in association with suitable actuator means operating upon the valve stem to displace the valve disc with respect to its seat; The valve actuator means may be an expansible bellows of the conventional fluid expansion or pressure types, suitably secured within the outlet chamber I6 concentrically therewith, and. having a capillary tube connection with the apparatus of which the temperature or pressure is to exert primary influence over the operation of the valve.

The valve means, designated in its entirety by numeral 29, is mounted within the chamber[ 4 by securement to the upper and lower diaphragms I8, I9, at the centers thereofj Inlet chamber I4 and outlet chamber I6 being concentric, valve 29 must be concentric with the valve actuator,-or bellows, 30. Valve 29 includes acap 3|, barrel 32, and base 33, said cap and base passing through apertures at the centers of the stated diaphragms. The cap and base members are threaded for cooperation with female threading in barrel 32, and

may thereby be secured to the diaphragms. A Suitable gaskets insure the free flexing of the diaphragms Without leakage at the areas of engagement of cap 3I and base 33 therewith. lPreferably, the diaphragms I8, I9, are biased upwardly, whereupon the cap 3| is urged toward screw I'I. Right hand rotation of the screw I1 flexes the inlet chamber downwardly, and moves valve 29 closer to the bellows 30; when the screw is backed off, the diaphragms I8, I9, react upwardly to move valve 29' away from bellows 30.

With the valve 29 secured centrally of the 'dia phragms I8, I9, and with the planesof th'e diaphragms being'in parallelism, the displacement of valve 29 during the flexing of the diaphragms is substantially without deviation from a precise axial line.

Base 33" of valve 29 is bored at its center, to slidably accommodate a grooved valve stem '35.

The upper surface of base 33 aifords a seat for valve disc 36, said disc being yieldably held against the seat by means such as the coil spring 31. A passage 38 in the barrel 32 communicates with inlet chamber I4.

The preferably rounded tip of valve stem is disposed centrally with respect to the bellows 30. At all stages of adjustment of screw I1 and resultant position of valve 29, the'ste m 3-5- is substantially precisely centered with respect to the bellows 30.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the diaphragms I8, I9, serve a triple function; they form, with ring 20, a flexible inlet chamber; they operate in lieu of spring means tomaintain the valve mount cap in engagement with adjustment screw I1; and they insure that the movement temperature and hence the maximum rate of gas combustion. Defrost represents the minimum gas flame with a refrigerator temperature too high 'forthe preservation of perishable foods;

#0 setting represents a rate of gas combustion greater, and a refrigerator temperature lower,

' than that at defrost.

The pitch and length of valve-setting screw I1 and the relationship of valve cap 3! thereto, are such that at the #1 dial setting the end of valve stem 35 is brought into operative position with'respect to bellows 39; if the refrigerator temperature is lower than-that represented by the #1 setting, the bellows will be in a collapsed state and valve disc'36 will remain on its seat. An expansion of bellows 30 under the influence of rising refrigerator temperatures, will bring the center vof thebellows surface into contact with the valve stem 35, and continued expansion will urge the stem upwardly, raising the disc 36 from its seat. Gas will then flow from'chamber I4 through aperture'38, downwardly along channelled valve stem 35 into outlet chamber I6, whence it flows through outlet connection 21 to the burner.

During periods when valve disc 36 is in closed position flow of gas to the burner in sufficient quantity to keep the burner lighted at a minimum flame condition is afforded through a port 49 in inlet chamber ring 20, through a passage 4| in registry therewith, and finally through passage 42 into outlet chamber [6, whence it passes through connection2'l to the burner.

This latter condition of gas flow prevails when the valve setting screw is at the defrost dial setting, in which? position the relationship of valve 29 and--stem 35 to the bellows 30 is as shown in Fig. 2. i

' An adjustment screw 43 establish the desired volume of'flow through passages'4l, 42. The shank ofsaid screw may terminate in a frusto-conical tip, providing for a relatively fine adjustment of flow.

Afeature of the valve In resides in the provision of secondary valve means whereby the continuous-flow of gas through passages 4|, 42, maybe supplemented independently of operation of valve 29. Such supplemental gas flow affords a refrigerator temperature lower than defrost but higher than'the operating food preservation temperature. Such temperature condition may be advantageous during vacation periods, when the housewife wishes to keep the refrigerator reasonably cold during her absence, but not 'within the usual-range of food preservation temperatures. a

This phase of valve operation may be attained by means comprising a Valve 45, see Fig. 3, normally held against'its seat 46 by a spring, and a lever 48 pivotallymounted withinoutlet chamberIB.

Gas flow to the valve 'is' through an aperture 52 formed in ring 20, then throu'gh-passagesl 53, '54,- tothe spring chamber 55 -beneath valve may be employed to' 45; Ascr w 56 a ran ed z-atith zt rminus-zcr passa e '5 afic d 2681 13114011 .fqnuantitrcbfecas flow. i e e a. v fl w centm jlever ihisedven eou mp d .etr m sheet .zneta v rr erablr stainless teellz'l'h -na andin lisid w lls ar a te c nfie a :int mediatertb tends @ef the lever i r e r ,s iace 1 6 1 in, ier operativeassociation with has 3,3oi val 28*, a p nt scribed. ntbe-mnaot uchu irins ap u 6! rmvidedtcrermitthe unrestricted passageof valve stem SS. Jlars-fiflof lever 48 are pierced tofreceivea suitable-Shara As appears from Fig s 1 ta n -withinmfl 3w M o .7 l the bearing surfaces 6D,50,-disposedloeneaththe base 33 of valve 29. -Valve;stem;35 extends through the aperture 6 1' of :lever 48'. {the term n o ev r rmiects into a cha ber formed in valve body, base l 1! and ber, rests uponthe endof valve s n1 For pivotally mounting thedever-QB t i gasket 21 a ai vantes euslvh nee Accordingly, said gasket, see ,Figs. 5 an d 6', is formed with pierced ears 21a, 217), -vvl ichare uc n lvt rmsp esi b ar g means between which the lugs ,62,,;62 l.of lever 48am loosely confined by any.-. s,ui-table; shaft-means.

With the valve setting at the defrost position, see Fi g. 2, valve Z9 is soapositioned' with respect to bellows 311 (and lever 48. that-the valve stem 35 is out of engagement withbellows an, and no pressure isexerted-by -base 3,3 against the bearings 60 of lever 48. In such position, valves 3.6 and 45 are closed, eachunder the urging of its respectivespring and,gasrflows. tooutlet 2'! only-through. passages AI, 42,.

Upon turning the setting screw "to the right, thechamber l4 and its therewitlz carried valve 29 are moveddownwardly, (Lever dll ismoved counterclockwise of- Fig. v3 by the: pressure of base .33 thereagainst, and ;the -resu ltant. ;downward movement of valvestemtifl, and valves permits flow of gas from chamber l4, through passa e '53., 5 upw r y along chan eled-v ve stem 50 intooutlet chamber [-6, If-therefrigera tor were sufiiciently cold at the timeofthestated setting of screw 11, the collapsed status of the bellows 30 would not occasion anupwardemove ment of valve stem 3.5. If, howevenjhe-bellows 3|] werein expanded position, t l ;el-stem would come into contact with bellows 30 ,andbe-raised thereby, thus causin gas flow through, alue 2 9.

It will be understood that thetotal vement of the valve 29 isrelativelymall,zinasmuel'lwas it takes place within less thanmonerevolution of the setting screw 11. Thelever diiymagnifies the displacement of the valve-"Z9 asyrespects-the operation of secondary flow valv 4,5 andaccomplishes the desired operationof suchwalve withinga small fraction ofv the tctalg-permittednrovementof the adjusting screw- [1.

Fig. 8 shows a second form of gas flow adjustment screw for the control of gas flow through the passages 4|, 42, or passages 53, 54. According to this embodiment, the screw, designated 43a, is provided with a shank of which the terminus is in the form of a truncated cylinder, rather than a frusto-cone. As is obvious, the frusto-conical terminus of the screw of Fig. 3 provides an annular flow opening, the area of which is determined by the relationship of the tip to the wall of the chamber lla. In contrast, the terminus of the Fig. 8 screw 43a serves to restrict the opening of the passage 4|, increase ch'i bamth :m

incsth m l nin-c EQQWQ h QHQ'hFthE ripenin and rth gfliiiduto intrineeasainst the slopin end surface 30f 'ithe -s,crew sicr deflection down- :Alliiuids, (and particu rly illuminating as, may containfer ien particles 101 i gum-produ n matt r; 5111, the zscrewformation of Fig. 3,, the frusto-conicaljtiptzpermlts thef'fl'uid; toenvelop the inzi ndzafiordszincreased opportunity for th mtrapment of dirt :or'the formation oizgum deposit inane-relatively smallannular space; Infthe Fi r g, embodiment, however; the fluid does a not surround 5 the shankof. ==the i screw, and :gthe high velocity-mfl-impact nf the :fizliid, against the slopmg surface mnlimizessthe opportunity 'for gum deposit oraentrapmenti .of dirt within the orifice. Having nowvdescribed and illustrated one form of'imydnve ntiomx-Iawish ritrtO-ebe understood that my'inventionjis snot to doe-limited, to .the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown, except? in :so ziar as :such limitations are:.specified; in :the appended, claims.

iiiiclaa'mzas.myinvention: 1

1. :A ,valvezcompiising, inicombination, a body; a. cylindricalzinletcchamber disposed therein and suhdividingrithe. same toprovide an outlet chamberconcentric.withrsaidsinlet chamber, said inlet chamber including 4 an upper and lower flexible tdi'aphragm maintained in spaced parallel relationship; valve :means disposed within said chamber concentric ::therewith and afiording controlledr'rflow oftfluld' from saidinlet, chamber to said-outlet chamber, said valvemeans including a cap --and aebasevrespectively securing the valve means .to the upper'tand'lower diaphragms; valve actuator "means, disposed in operative relationship to said valve means; adjustment screw meansioperatively associated with said valve cap to displace the valve meansas a'unit with respect-to said valve actuator; means by-p saidr'first-mentioned valve means to provide a second path of ifl'ow l'from said inlet chamber to said outletxchamber; valvzelmeans in said by-pass meanspandmeans operative upon displacement of said first-mentioned valve means to actuate the said by-pass. valve means.

2. A valve' comprising,int-combination, a body; an inl'etxchamber disposed within-said body and dividing'the same "to provide an outlet chamber concentric iWith said :inlet chamber, said inlet chamber comprising a pair of spaced flexible diaphragms rand spacer ringzmeans for maintaining-said idiaphrag-msuin spaced mutually parallel relationship; "valve means disposed within said chamber concentrictherewith, said valve means including cap means-and base means secured respectively l to 1 said upper :and lower diaphragms; valve i actuator means arranged within said. outlet chamber and including :an expansion element arranged concentrically within said chamber in operative association with: said valve means; and adjustment screw irneans. operatively associated wlthrsaidava-lve icap means tonisplace said valve means with respect to said valve actuator means.

3. A valve comprising, in combination, a body; a fluid inlet chamber arranged therein, said inlet chamber comprising a plurality of flexible diaphragms arranged in spaced mutually parallel relationship and secured within said body in fluid-tight relationship therewith; an outlet chamber; valve means afiording controlled flow of fluid from said inlet to said outlet chamber, said valve means being disposed within said inlet chamber concentrically therewith and secured to the said diaphragms; valve actuator means including an expansion-element arranged "within said outlet chamber and operatively associated with said valve means; and adjustment screw means arranged to flex the diaphragms comprising the inlet chamber to move the valve-means in a path axial of and normal to the said diaphragms to adjust the position of saidvalve means with respect to said actuator means." I

4. A valve comprising, in combinationfa fluid inlet chamber disposed within a housing and comprising a plurality of flexible diaphragms arranged in spaced mutually parallel relationship; an outlet chamber disposed within said housing; valve means for controlling flowiro'm said inlet chamber tosaid outlet chamber, said valve means being centered within said -inlet-chamber and secured thereto by' engagement 'with the diaphragms thereof; valve actuator. means including an element disposed within said outlet chamber and operatively associated with said valve means, said valve actuator element being movable with respect to said valve means in-response to conditions externally of said"valve; and means effective to flex the diaphragms of said inlet chamber to move the valve means in one o'ranother direction with respect to said valve actuator means.

5. A valve accordingt'o'claim 1, :in whichtsaid by-pass valve actuator meansic'omprises a pivoted lever engageable with the base of said firstmentioned valve and in operative association with said by-pass valve means. l

6. A valve comprising, combination, a" body, flexible diaphragm means mounted therein in fluid-tight relationship therewith toprovide a plurality of chambers, valve .means supported by said diaphragm means "for displacement within said body upon flexing said: diaphragm means, said valve means afiording flow' from tone to another of said chambers, valve actuator means including an expansion bellows disposed within one of said chambers in operative association with said valve means, and-diaphragmadjustment means accessible externally of said body'to flex said diaphragm means and move said valve means relatively to said valveactuator means."

7. In a valve, a pair of chambers, a'valve body carried by an element of one'chamber andmovable bodily with respect'to saidother chamber, said valve body having an orifice providing'a path of communication between said chambers, a

valve disc associated with said orifice, means for moving said valve disc with respect to said-oriflee to control flow therethrough,a second path of communication between said chambers, valve means in said second path, means operatively associating said'valve body and said valve means for actuating said valve meansupon movement of said valve body to control flow. throughsaid second path of communication, andmea'ns accessible externally of said chambers for effecting movement of said valve body; z,

8. A valve, comprising in combination',-a1 body, a fluid inlet chamber secured within said body,

said ichamber including at least one flexible diaphragm; valve-means secured to said diaphragm withinlsaid chamber constructed and arranged to-controlflow therethrough, said valve means including a valve disc and therewith associated axially movable valve stem;- expansion means disposedexternally of said chamber in direct operative relationship with said valve stem'to actu'atethe' same-so as to move the valve disc relatively tdthe remainder of the valve means to efEect flow therethrough; and means for adjusting the position of said-valve means with respect 'to said actuator by flexing the diaphragm of said fluid inlet chamber.

- '9. 'A valve'comprising, in combination, a hollow body, an outlet therefrom, a hollow structure disposed within said body to provide a chamber therein, one wall of said hollow structure comprising a flexible diaphragm, valve means disposed within said hollow'structure and supported by said flexible diaphragm for movement therewith, said valve affording means of controllable communication between said chamber and said body; means for operating said valve means in a manner to control said communication; inlet means to said chamber; means forflexing said diaphragm-to effect bodily movement of said valve means with respect to said operating means a by-pass connecting said chamber and said body; valve means in said by-pass, and means responsive to-the movement of said firstnamed valve to operate said by-pass valve means to control flow between said chamber and said body.'--

10'. A'valveac'cording to claim 9, further characterised bythe disposition of the-by-pass valve means remote from the diaphragm-supported valve'means, and operatively associated there- Withby a';lever actuated by movementof said diaphragm supported valvemeans.

r 11. Ina valve, a pair of chambers, a valve body carried by' an element of one chamber and movable bodily with respect to the other, said valve body providing a passage between said chambers, valve means Within said body for controlling; flow throughsaid passage, means adapted to move into or out of engagement with said valve means to operate the same, means for moving said valvebody and thNein contained valve means toward or away from said valve operatingfmeans-to establish stdesired extent of movement of said operating means before engagementthereof with said valve-means, a secondpassage connecting said chambers, valve means 'in' said second passage to control flow therethrough, and valve actuator means for said second valve"operatively' associated with said valve body'so arranged that movement of said valve body toward said valve operator means opens said second named valve and'movement in an opposite direction effects closure of said valve.

' WILLIAM K. MATHESON. 

